The Argentina Experiment

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JimHow
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The Argentina Experiment

Post by JimHow »

I know nothing about Argentine wines.

So I went on the PJ's website. I picked 12 wines from several recent vintages.
I know nothing about any of these wines or any of these vintages.
They are all priced between $10 and $26.
I picked 12 wines that were rated at least 90 points by either WA, WE, WS, IWC, or JS.
I will uncork two per Thursday night steak dinner, and will record my observations (not necessarily over the next 6 consecutive Thursdays, but likely all 6 sessions will occur before the end of the year).
I recognize I am not drinking $100 wines here, I just want to see if there is anything to get excited about.

So these are the wines and their prices:




CODE DESCRIPTION QTY PRICE TOTAL

W06260 Altos Las Hormigas "Reserva" Mendoza Malbec 2012 (750ML) 1 $22.97 $22.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W-00004363 Ben Marco Mendoza Malbec 2012 (750ML) - 90JS 1 $14.97 $14.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W-00005030 Bodega Colome Salta Malbec 2011 (750ML) 1 $22.97 $22.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W06442 Luca Malbec Uco Valley 2012 (750ML) - WS93 1 $26.97 $26.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W-00001493 Luigi Bosca "D.O.C." Mendoza Malbec 2011 (750ML) - 90WA 1 $19.97 $19.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W-00001342 Terrazas de los Andes "Reserva" Mendoza Malbec 2011 (750ML) - IWC92 1 $15.97 $15.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W-00001098 Trapiche "Broquel" Mendoza Malbec 2011 (750ML) - WS90 1 $11.97 $11.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W06151 Casarena Malbec Mendoza 2012 (750ML) - IWC90 1 $13.99 $13.99

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (10% off):

$-1.40
W06646 Finca la Luz "Callejon del Crimen" Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2008 (750ML) - WA93 1 $15.97 $15.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W06645 Finca la Luz "Callejon del Crimen" Malbec Gran Reserva 2008 (750ML) - WA92 1 $15.97 $15.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W06593 Sur de los Andes Malbec Reserva 2012 (750ML) - WE90 1 $10.97 $10.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
W06319 Susana Balbo Malbec Signature 2012 (750ML) - 93JS 1 $18.97 $18.97

Availability: In Stock

Mixed Case Discounts (this item is not discountable):

$0.00
Sub Total: $210.26
Shipping: UPS - UPS Ground $32.40
Tax (exempt) $0.00
Total Cost $242.66



Please note: This is not a final invoice! You will receive a final email confirmation with an itemized invoice once the order has been processed.



Check out PJ Wine on Yelp
User avatar
tim
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by tim »

Excellent, I am looking forward to the report...

I will be going to Mendoza in December and need to know where to visit!
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DavidG
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by DavidG »

Sounds like a movie title for a film about evil Nazi scientists in hiding and starring Maximilian Schell.

Turns out it really is a movie, albeit an unheralded documentary:
http://www.smallplanet.gr/documentaries ... experiment
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Jay Winton
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by Jay Winton »

I drank a fair amount of the Bosca DOC back when it was priced in the mid teens. Solid malbec. Can age.
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Tom In DC
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by Tom In DC »

I love that you have a Thursday night steak dinner - the Argentines would be proud!

If you expect to judge these wines by your standards vis a vis Bordeaux, they won't measure up - not enough structure.

But if you just sit down to dinner, mano e mano with a steak and a carafe of vino, I expect that most of your Argentine experiments will exceed your expectations.
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JimHow
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Location: Lewiston, Maine, United States
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by JimHow »

That is indeed the hope/plan, Tom.
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Nicklasss
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by Nicklasss »

Altos Las Hormegas is excellent normally. Trapiche, standard international product.

Quality/price ratio is very good with wines from Argentina. The only hic is that The wines smell and taste all very much The same, as The ones exported are set to a certain international taste standard. And vintage conditions have less variations.

You surely have more difference In three 20$ red Bordeaux than In three 20$ Argentina Malbec. But they are very good for what they are.

Nic
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dstgolf
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by dstgolf »

Nic,

I agree and disagree with your impression of Malbecs. The exports we receive are typically the low end entry products for each of the wineries. When visiting Argentina we were amazed at the different tiers of wines available. We truly get the generic plonk with village and Grand Cru correlate levels that we never see. Malbecs going for $100-200+USDs of which we tried a few that were outstanding with significant complexity and supposedly very ageable. I have a few in the cellar sleeping that could be shared ITNOS some time in the future if interested in visiting our area.
Danny
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Nicklasss
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by Nicklasss »

You're right dstgolf.

I'm talking about the wines I can get locally, for 20$, that are probably about the same that Jimhow can get, In the USA.

I would like to go to Argentina, as I have heard that the local wines available are way better.

Jim, are you starting your experiment tonight?

Nic
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JimHow
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Location: Lewiston, Maine, United States
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Re: The Argentina Experiment

Post by JimHow »

No Nic they were just shipped today.
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